BIOMIMICRY INSPIRED DESIGNS FOR DAYLIGHTING IN ECUADOR

7/21/2019 BIOMIMICRY INSPIRED DESIGNS FOR DAYLIGHTING IN ECUADOR

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BIOMIMICRY INSPIRED DESIGNS FORDAYLIGHTING IN ECUADOR

Andres Fernandez Yanez

A dissertation submitted to Cardiff University in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of

Science

MSc Environmental Design of Buildings

The Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University

November 2014


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Welsh School of Architecture - Cardiff University

II

Declarations page


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III

Acknowledgments

I would like to express all my gratitude to the Ecuadorian Government and the

SENESCYT who granted me this scholarship, giving me the great opportunity to

take a big step forward in my professional career studying my MSc degree. Hoping

this national effort will be compensated in the near future with the development of

innovative technology and new ways of thinking that will contribute to the wellbeing

to our people.

Moreover, thanks to all the professors and the staff in the Welsh School of

Architecture who always were more than just teachers, thank for your help, time,

dedication and guidance.

Finally, thanks to all the wonderful people I have met this year; it is great to know

that everybody wants to build a better future for our societies.


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IV

Summary

This research focuses in the development of biomimetic design to maximize the

use of daylight during the day for a teaching room located in Ecuador. The content

includes a literature review about biomimicry, then a description of the

methodology to follow, an explanation of animal and plant strategies that uses

natural light, a description of the geographical, activity and site context, the design

creation and development, the light performance of designs through software

simulation then the results are presented and finally conclusions and

recommendations. Biomimicry is a source of inspiration to create novel and

sustainable processes for technical, economic or social systems based on nature,

so to create new daylight designs the BioGen methodology (Badarnah & Kadri,2014) has been applied with ten examples of organisms that manage daylight in

different ways, resulting in two types of designs: four morpho designs that are

related with the structures and shapes in a macro scale and one physiodesign that

is related with the function of structures in a nano scale; only the morpho designs

were evaluated using software, the combined morpho design was the one with

most satisfactory results with better illuminance for different sky conditions.

Concluding biomimicry is a real source of inspiration on daylighting design, the

BioGen methodology has served to the purpose of creating new designs on

tropical rooftops and it does not represent a limitation when other ideas are

incorporated to the design and the nanoproperties found in nature can be studied

further to incorporate new properties to construction materials.


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VI

5.8. Olives leaves ......................................................................................... 34

5.9. Flower color effects ................................................................................ 34

5.10. Jewel beetle ........................................................................................... 35

6. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................ 37

6.1. Creating an exploration model ............................................................... 37

6.2. Defining the design challenge ................................................................ 38

6.3. Exploring possible scenarios and identifying exemplary pinnacles ......... 38

6.4. Analyzing selected pinnacles ................................................................. 38

6.5. Deriving imaginary pinnacles ................................................................. 40

6.6. Outlining the design concept .................................................................. 42

6.7. Generating design concepts .................................................................. 43

6.7.1. Morpho design concept 1 ................................................................... 43

6.7.2. Morpho Design concept 2 ................................................................... 48

6.7.3. Morpho Design concept 3 ................................................................... 50

6.7.4. Physio design concept ........................................................................ 54

7. MODELLING AND SIMULATION .................................................................. 58

7.1. Software ................................................................................................ 58

7.1.1. Design Builder .................................................................................... 58

7.1.2. DiaLux ................................................................................................ 59

7.2. Building model ....................................................................................... 598. RESULTS ..................................................................................................... 61

8.1. Morpho design 1 .................................................................................... 61

8.2. Morpho design 2 .................................................................................... 64

8.2.1. Convergent platform ........................................................................... 64

8.2.2. Flat platform ....................................................................................... 66

8.2.3. Divergent platform .............................................................................. 69

8.3. Morpho design 3 .................................................................................... 72

8.3.1. Small morpho design 3 ....................................................................... 74

8.4. Innovation phase: Combined morpho design ......................................... 77

8.4.1. Simulation in DIALUX software ........................................................... 80

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................. 84

REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 86


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VII

List of figures

Figure 1.1 Research plan ....................................................................................... 3

Figure 2.1 Box fish and biomimetic car (Pawlyn, 2011) .......................................... 6

Figure 2.2 Shark skin surface, inspiration for swimsuits (Pawlyn, 2011) ................. 7Figure 2.3 A spiral shell house (El-Zeiny, 2012) ..................................................... 8

Figure 2.4 A cell-shaped building (El-Zeiny, 2012) ................................................. 8

Figure 2.5 Biorock and growing coral reefs (Pawlyn, 2011) .................................... 9

Figure 2.6 Sea whale and wind turbine (Pawlyn, 2011) .......................................... 9

Figure 2.7 Skeleton of a bird skull and Andres Harriss design canopy

structure (Pawlyn, 2011) ............................................................................... 10

Figure 2.8 Expanding and contraction of Heatherwicks bridge (Pawlyn,

2011) ............................................................................................................ 11

Figure 2.9 Termite mound and Eastgate Centre (Pawlyn, 2011) .......................... 11

Figure 3.1 Solution based approach. (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014) ........................... 15

Figure 3.2 Problem based approach (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014) ........................... 15

Figure 3.3 Biomimicry Design Spiral (Biomimicry 3.8, 2011) ................................ 16

Figure 3.4 Biogen methodology (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014) .................................. 17

Figure 4.1 Lighting design Framework (Department for Education and Skills,

2003) ............................................................................................................ 19

Figure 4.2 Plane view of sun path in a building in Ecuador (0 Latitude)

(Design Builder software Ltd., 2013) ............................................................. 21

Figure 4.3 Lateral view from East of sun path in a building in Ecuador (0

Latitude) at midday for a) Summer solstice, b) Equinoxes, c) Winter

solstice (Design Builder software ltd, 2013) .................................................. 22

Figure 4.4 Variation of the maximum solar altitude during a year (Data from

Design Builder software Ltd., 2013) .............................................................. 23

Figure 4.5 Plan view of a general classroom (Design Builder software ltd,

2013) ............................................................................................................ 25

Figure 5.1 Edelweiss bracts and its reflectance on normal incident light

(Vigneron et al., 2005)................................................................................... 28


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Figure 5.2 Absorbance of solutions of cuticular waxes in Pines cembra(A),

Rhodondendron ferrugineum (B), Junipernus communis (C) and

Vaccinium vitis-idaea(D) (Jacobs et al., 2007).............................................. 29

Figure 5.3 Dolichopteryx longpipes (Wagner et al.,2008) ..................................... 29

Figure 5.4 Transverse section of the main eye and the diverticulum (Wagner

et al., 2008) ................................................................................................... 30

Figure 5.5 Cross section of a sponge Tethya aurantium (Brmmer et al.,

2008) ............................................................................................................ 30

Figure 5.6 Structure of spicules inside the sponge Tethya aurantium

(Brmmer et al., 2008) .................................................................................. 31

Figure 5.7 Shades and cooling in cactuses (Biomimicry.net, 2011) ...................... 31

Figure 5.8 Firefly and detailed nanostrutucres (Kim et al., 2012) .......................... 32

Figure 5.9 Mechanism of nanostructure to enhance light transmission (Kim et

al., 2012) ....................................................................................................... 32

Figure 5.10 Morpho Butterfly (Asknature.org, 2014) ............................................. 33

Figure 5.11 Nanopatterns in butterfly wings scales (Prum et al., 2005) ................ 33

Figure 5.12 Olives tree (de Casas, 2011) ............................................................. 34

Figure 5.13 Surface pattern of Lantana camaraflower (Endress, 1994) ............... 34

Figure 5.14 Lantana camara flower (Jardinexotiqueroscoff.com, (2014) .............. 35

Figure 5.15 Surface pattern ofSchlumbergeraflower (Endress, 1994) ................ 35

Figure 5.16 Schlumbergera flower (Mattslandscape.com, 2014) .......................... 35

Figure 5.17 Jewel Beetle (Pawlyn, 2011) ............................................................. 36

Figure 5.18 Cuticular surface of the Japanese jewel beetle Chrysochroa

fulgidissimaa) 100 um b) 1 um (Schenk et al., 2013) .................................... 36

Figure 6.1 Exploration model for daylighting design ............................................. 37

Figure 6.2 Design path matrix for lighting ............................................................. 42

Figure 6.3 Light reflected from different angles on the cell mirror (Wagner et

al., 2008) ....................................................................................................... 44

Figure 6.4 Replicated shapes (red lines) from the cell mirror and the retina of

the Dolichopteryx Longpipes......................................................................... 45

Figure 6.5 Concept of replicating the cell mirror on a rooftop ............................... 45


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Figure 6.6 Cell mirror in a vertical position upwards with sunlight inclined

23.5 to the perpendicular a) Summer solstice b) Winter solstice .................. 46

Figure 6.7 Final design replicating the cell mirror structure in different

conditions a) Summer solstice b) Equinoxes c) Winter solstice. Sun rays

are colored as yellow and reflected light as blue ........................................... 47

Figure 6.8 Design with mirror in horizontal position, in different conditions a)

Summer solstice b) Equinoxes c) Winter solstice .......................................... 49

Figure 6.9 Morpho design concept 2 with flat platform ......................................... 49

Figure 6.10 Morpho design concept 2 with divergent platform.............................. 50

Figure 6.11 Morpho design replicating the spiracles on a sponge Tethya

aurantium...................................................................................................... 51

Figure 6.12 Morpho design with light vault ........................................................... 51

Figure 6.13 Sunlight reaches the room in the morpho design............................... 52

Figure 6.14 Final morpho design 3 ....................................................................... 52

Figure 6.15 Final morpho design 3 in different conditions a) Summer solstice

b) Equinoxes c) Winter solstice ..................................................................... 53

Figure 6.16 Physiodesign integrating nanostructures ........................................... 55

Figure 6.17 a) Butterfly P. Blumei b) Reflectance of the surface (Diao and

Liu, 2011) ...................................................................................................... 56

Figure 6.18 Coloration mechanism of P. Blumei under a)normal and b) 45

incident light (Diao and Liu, 2011) ................................................................. 56

Figure 6.19 a) Colors in Jewel beetle b) Reflectance with normal incident light

(Schenk et al. 2013) ...................................................................................... 57

Figure 7.1 Basic building model (Design Builder software ltd, 2013) .................... 59

Figure 7.2 Visualization of sunpath on the building model (Design Builder

software ltd, 2013) ........................................................................................ 60

Figure 8.1 Model of morpho design 1 a) Rooftop lateral view b) Building and

modified rooftop (Design Builder Software Ltd., 2013) .................................. 61

Figure 8.2 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for morpho design 1 on a)

overcast sky and clear sky conditions b) Summer solstice c) Equinox d)

Winter solstice (Design Builder Software Ltd., 2013) ..................................... 62


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Figure 8.3 Sunlight hits the curved surface on a) Summer solstice b)

Equinox c) Winter solstice in morpho design 1 (Design Builder Software

Ltd., 2013) ..................................................................................................... 63

Figure 8.4 Model of morpho design 2 with convergent platform 2 a) Rooftop

lateral view b) Building and modified rooftop (Design Builder Software

Ltd., 2013) ..................................................................................................... 64

Figure 8.5 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for of morpho design 2 with

convergent platform on a) overcast sky and clear sky conditions b)

Summer solstice c) Equinox d) Winter solstice .............................................. 65

Figure 8.6 Model of morpho design 2 with flat platform a) Rooftop lateral view

b) Building and modified rooftop (Design Builder Software Ltd., 2013) .......... 67

Figure 8.7 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for morpho design 2 with flat

platform on a) overcast sky and clear sky conditions b) Summer

solstice c) Equinox d) Winter solstice ............................................................ 68

Figure 8.8 Model of morpho design 2 with divergent platform a) Rooftop

lateral view b) Building and modified rooftop (Design Builder Software

Ltd., 2013) ..................................................................................................... 69

Figure 8.9 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for morpho design 2 with

divergent platform on a) overcast sky and clear sky conditions b)

Summer solstice c) Equinox d) Winter solstice .............................................. 70

Figure 8.10 Model of morpho design 1 a) Rooftop lateral view b) Building and

modified rooftop (Design Builder Software Ltd., 2013) .................................. 72

Figure 8.11 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for morpho design 3 on a)

overcast sky and clear sky conditions b) Summer solstice c) Equinox d)

Winter solstice............................................................................................... 73

Figure 8.12 Model of small morpho design 3 a) Rooftop lateral view b)

Building and modified rooftop (Design Builder Software Ltd., 2013) .............. 75

Figure 8.13 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for small morpho design 3 on

a) overcast sky and clear sky conditions b) Summer solstice c) Equinox

d) Winter solstice .......................................................................................... 76


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Figure 8.14 Combined morpho design in different conditions a) Summer

solstice b) Equinoxes c) Winter solstice ........................................................ 78

Figure 8.15 Model of combined morpho design a) Rooftop lateral view b)

Building and modified rooftop (Design Builder Software Ltd., 2013) .............. 78

Figure 8.16 Illuminance over 300 lux (colored) for combined morpho design

on a) overcast sky and clear sky conditions b) Summer solstice c)

Equinox d) Winter solstice ............................................................................. 79

Figure 8.17 Model of combined morpho design in DIALux software a)

Rooftop lateral view b) Building and modified rooftop (DIAL Gmhh, 2014) .... 81

Figure 8.18 Illuminance (lux) in DIALUX software for combined morpho

design on a) overcast sky and clear sky conditions b) Summer solstice

c) Equinox d) Winter solstice (DIAL Gmhh, 2014) ......................................... 82

Figure 8.19 Glare index (UGR) in DIALUX software for combined morpho

design (DIAL Gmhh, 2014) ........................................................................... 83


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List of tables

Table 4.1 Hourly maximum solar altitude for equinoxes and solstices (Design

Builder software Ltd., 2013) .......................................................................... 23

Table 6.1 Summary of analysis pinnacles ............................................................ 39

Table 6.2 Pinnacle analysisng matrix ................................................................... 40

Table 8.1 Results on different sky conditions for morpho design 1 ....................... 63

Table 8.2 Results on different sky conditions for of morpho design 2 with

convergent platform ...................................................................................... 66

Table 8.3 Results on different sky conditions for morpho design 2 with flat

platform ......................................................................................................... 67

Table 8.4 Results on different sky conditions for morpho design 2 withdivergent platform ......................................................................................... 71

Table 8.5 Results on different sky conditions for morpho design 3 ....................... 74

Table 8.6 Results on different sky conditions for small morpho design 3 .............. 75

Table 8.7 Results on different sky conditions for combined morpho design.......... 80

Table 8.7 Results on different sky conditions for combined morpho design

(DIAL Gmhh, 2014) ....................................................................................... 81


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1. INTRODUCTION

Construction and the building sector is categorized as one of the most polluting

industries in the world, but at the same time it is also considered as one of the

opportunities and challenges for the society to become more environmentally

friendly; through the minimization of the negative impacts produced, the reduction

of carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and contributing with the well-

being of the population, always under the philosophy of sustainability; as a

consequence, sustainable construction has seen a rapid and growing interest in

the last decade (Pearce et al., 2005).

There are many steps to achieve sustainability inside the construction industry, but

one of the most important is the application of sustainability principles when the

phase of architectural design is being developed, because in this early stage,

changes can be made easily and the final results are more effective (Pearce et al.,

2012); moreover the application of sustainable concepts in the architectural design

results in the reduction of energy consumption, energy demands from users and

less quantity of materials used and less waste produced (Pollalis et al, 2012).

Statistics shows that buildings in operation are consuming between 25 and 30% of

the total energy in Japan, European Union and United States of America together

and these numbers are expected to increase in the future (Pearce et al., 2012).

Further down, the artificial lighting represents 20% of the total in America (Pearce

et al., 2012), 14% in the European Union and 19% worldwide according to the

International Energy Agency (IEA) (Gago et al., 2014). Additionally, it is necessary

to understand that the energy consumption of operational buildings is producing

CO2 emissions contributing to climate change (Pearce et al., 2012).

Therefore, in order to create a true sustainable construction that minimize the use

of energy, use less materials, and produce less waste; many researchers have

focused on one source of inspiration called biomimicry. Biomimicry is a field in

development that has the potential to be applied in most of academic sciences; its

concept is based on the principles and processes observed in nature and they can


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be replicated in any society system referring as economical, technological or

cultural (Mathews, 2011).

Following the ideas around biomimicry, the present research is focused on

developing passive design strategies in an educational building to aim visualcomfort without needs of artificial lights (or minimum use of it) during daytime. The

proposed designs are based on how some organisms (animals, plants) manage

daylight and sunlight. An assumption made is that the building is located in

Ecuador, this location is considered as the geographical context due to in the

sunpath is relatively constant through all the year in the tropical zone, from East to

West getting the higher solar altitudes at midday and in a daily basis it is necessary

to avoid direct sunlight due to excessive glare and solar heat gains. The passive

strategies are focused on the modification of the roof and their performance is

simulated on different sky conditions.

The question that this research intends to answer is "How to create a passive

design based on biomimicry in order to improve the use of daylight in educational

buildings in Ecuador?" therefore, the content is focused on the construction of a

biomimicry design that can be built from the foundations of biomimicry philosophy

until the evaluation of performance of the final design through software, additionally

this document intends to develop more ideas and suggestions on methodologies

used to create sustainable design helping other professionals.

1.1. Aim

The present research explores the opportunities of creating biomimicry designs of

a rooftop aiming to maximum use of daylight in educational buildings located in the

equatorial zone; the created designs should ensure the visual comfort of the

occupants specifically in teaching rooms.

1.2. Objectives

Identify the strategies that organisms use to manage a specific kind of

radiation from the sun that could involve visual, infrared or UV wavelengths.


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Convert the selected bio strategies to passive design strategies in a rooftop.

Evaluate the designs created in a software to test the effectiveness of the

biomimicry strategies based on lux levels and daylight factors according to

the activity of the occupants.

1.3. Research plan

To create a design from the fundamentals of biomimicry, it is necessary to

establish a structure that allows the designer or any researcher to know the

concept first in order to apply the principles behind biomimicry (fig. 1.1). So after

the research aims have been defined , the first step to take is to understand the

concepts and philosophy of biomimicry, (what exactly is it?, what is it not?, its goals

and some examples), then the methodology is defined as a guide consisting on

basic steps to follow, then the design development should focus on gathering

information about how nature manages light and introducing the geographical

context (location, sky conditions, etc.), architectural information (room size,

capacity) and requirements (lighting levels regulations), plus the construction site

according with the information taken; after a digital model is created in order to run

lighting simulations with the help of software to prove if the designs can be

effective in reality, from the results obtained and all the methodology appliedconclusions and recommendations are given as the last chapter at the end of this

document.

Figure 1.1 Research plan


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On the 80s, the first approach to biomimicry was a general term that related any

kind of imitation of a living form (Volstad & Boks, 2012), and also similar terms

appeared with the new idea like as biomimetics or bionics (Pawlyn, 2011). But then

the redefined concept of biomimicry is referred as the study of natures models

(designs and processes) as an inspiration to be replicated to solve human

problems (Benyus, 2002).

The objective of biomimicry refers to solve problems imitating forms and principles

from nature, in this context, it is assumed that million years of evolution of

organisms has allowed them to survive, therefore, they (organism and processes)

have become effective and practical (Yurtkuran et al., 2013); moreover it is also

assumed that the natural design is very efficient without energy losses, some of the

basic principles of sustainability in biomimicry according to Benyus (2002) indicates

that nature runs on sunlight, as the main source of energy, nature uses it efficiently

and all the elements have a cycle so nothing is wasted allowing diversity of

organisms and their interactions.

In terms of design application, biomimicry is a way of understand the process of

creative thinking and creative problem solving (Yurtkuran et al., 2013), through the

mechanism of traducing principles of a living organism function and turning it into a

solution of a problem (Volstad and Boks, 2012)

Some detractors on biomimicry declare that the term is too perfect and also

criticize that all natural processes cannot be perfect and replicable for solving

problems (Volstad & Boks, 2012).

2.2.Levels of biomimicry

Different approaches of biomimicry have also appeared during its development, thereductive view and the holistic view, the first refers to the replication of an individual

process to an industrial level, meanwhile the second aspires to replicate a whole

system of products and processes interrelated (Volstad & Boks, 2012); so the

difference lays down on the level of applicability individual or global. Some


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applications in the reductive view are like recreating properties of materials in a

laboratory, developing materials, products and systems from nature or creating

products with shapes and forms from nature (Volstad & Boks, (2012); El-Zeiny,

2012; Pandrenemos et al., 2012).

A classification made by El-Zeiny (2012) refers to three levels of application that

are according to biological order:

Organism features (shape, color, transparency, structure, behavior, motion,

modularity),

Organism-community relationship (survival techniques, group management,

communication, sensing and interaction)

Organism environment relationship (adaptation, response to climate, source

management, waste management)

Some examples of the replication of features are widely spread nowadays on

multiple sources of information; Pawlyn (2011) indicates two of them, the

biomimetic car made by Daimler Chrysler (fig 1.2) which its shape is aerodynamic

reducing the friction and increasing efficiency, and the swimsuit based on sharks

skin surface (fig. 1.3) also to provide faster velocities for swimmers.

Figure 2.1 Box fish and biomimetic car (Pawlyn, 2011)


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Figure 2.2 Shark skin surface, inspiration for swimsuits (Pawlyn, 2011)

Applying biomimicry in the process of creating an eco-product, there are some

expectations to achieve, they should be adaptable in short term innovation,

recyclable, manageable, easily maintained and self-repairing although some

characteristics could have limited functionality but reliable (Bogatyrev and

Bogatyreva, 2014).

2.3. Biomimicry in architecture

Biomimicry as a source of creativity in design has been secured a position to its

application in architecture and engineering, through inspiration and innovation as

two key elements for a sustainable achievement (El-Zeiny, 2012), but some

misleading concepts and application of biomimicry have emerged.

It is evident that some architects and buildings imitate the forms of living organisms

but just the look and appearance of it where no further concepts or mechanisms

are functioning inside and that cannot be considered as real biomimicry (El-Zeiny,

2012), its proper name is biomorphism (Pawlyn, 2011). The most common failure

is replicating a form as the examples shown in the figures 2.3 and 2.4, these forms

are actually replicated as a shell and as a cell but none of the materials or spaces

has the same functionality as in nature; on the contrary, one of the biomimicry aims

is to incentive and replicate functional processes in organisms.


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Figure 2.3 A spiral shell house (El-Zeiny, 2012)

Figure 2.4 A cell-shaped building (El-Zeiny, 2012)

The application of biomimicry can be categorized as stated in Volstad & Boks

(2012): materials, mechanics, structure and form can be directly related to

architecture and engineering.

Materials (material science)

The main interest is to produce better materials without secondary products that

are usually toxic, nature creates materials out of itself and these prime materials

always are bioorganic compounds, the energy needed comes from the sun, sobiomimicry can be a way of creating clean manufacturing processes with zero

waste (Pawlyn, 2011). Many properties of natural materials can be listed

environmental responsiveness, hierarchy bonding, growth and auto repair, a good

example is the Biorock (fig. 1.3) this structure help to restore coral reefs through


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the process of deposition of the minerals diluted in the sea water. This can be a

way to create strong materials for construction.

Figure 2.5 Biorock and growing coral reefs (Pawlyn, 2011)

Mechanics/dyn amics (general engineering and locomo t ion)

Mimicking mechanisms and dynamics is to produce movement or transport with

little quantities of energy, a clear example is the wind-turbine blade inspired by the

whale, lumps on its humpback allows it to equilibrate at low speeds, for the windblades it allows to maintain the rotation and achieve continuous operation

increasing 20% of productivity over a year (Pawlyn, 2011).

Figure 2.6 Sea whale and wind turbine (Pawlyn, 2011)


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Figure 2.8 Expanding and contraction of Heatherwicks bridge (Pawlyn, 2011)

Form (archi tecture and art)

The Eastgate Centre in Zimbawe is a clear example of biomimicry in buildings it

has the shape of an almond with the main axis aligned towards north and south, so

it gets the morning heat from east and receives less sunlight at midday, vents can

be opened to release the heat and also ground cooling piper provides cool air

when temperatures get too high, the temperature is maintained between 21 and

25 while the exterior temperatures are within a range from 5 to 33 (Pawlyn,

2011).

Figure 2.9 Termite mound and Eastgate Centre (Pawlyn, 2011)


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An approach about architectural elements is also given by Pandrenemos (2012),

the author adopts two types of architectural products: the integral product is a

complex of functional elements that complements each other, meanwhile the

modular components presents a single relation between each element; the main

difference is on the number of relations between elements. So biomimcry can also

be applied in architecture if an integral product is considered following the holistic

view described by Volstad & Boks (2012) and the level of application organism

environment relationship as mentioned by El-Zeiny (2012).

Through the process of applying biomimicry to technical designs, one of the most

helpful and powerful tools is the modeling of designs to test them using software,

the mathematical algorithms based on physics are the key to determine how

biological models can be translated into real applications, an example given by

Looker (2013) is the software Xfrog, it simulates the structure of tree trunks and

branches and the growth pattern of trees and plants, the direct application is for the

analysis of seismic stabilization in buildings, an innovative idea is that it can be

useful to design bio facades with plants that can rebuilt themselves according to

the season (Looker, 2013).

Nevertheless, designers, engineers and architects have to be conscious that

biomimicry itself cannot be traduced in great architecture; always the creative, free

and emotional side is also part of a good design.


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3. METHODOLOGY

After understanding the concept of biomimicry, this part of the research will focus

on how to create a passive design that allows better use of daylight in a tropical

zone like Ecuador, as shown before, biomimicry can be applied in so many

circumstances and many fields, but depending on the case study, each author

have built their own methodologies to achieve their own aims.

According to many authors as Pandrenemos et al. (2012) and Badarnah & Kadri

(2014), biomimicry as a source of inspiration has become appealing in recent years

but researchers are still discussing on how to build a systematic methodology to be

explained in general terms where the main objective is to transform biological

processes into a functional element for engineering or architectural application.

One of the most difficult tasks for architects and designers is to identify the natural

systems that achieve the same function as the design purpose, and even

challenging, it is abstracting the principle of biological mechanisms usually when

there is a lack of biological knowledge (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014). There are other

challenges in implementing the bio ideas into direct application, like choosing the

right strategy from many options available or an incompatibility of scales in size

and the conflicts with the basic design concept. (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014).

According to Bogatyrev and Bogatyreva (2014) four principles should be followed

for adapting natural processes to technology, the first is simplification, it means that

it is necessary to reduce the complexity of biological systems and to specify the

main function needed, second is the interpretation, where the design has to follow

the main function for that was conceived along with the result desired, third is to

provide an ideal result, and the final is the contradiction, translating what? (the

objective) into how? (the process).

From many examples, there are two main approaches when creating a design,

these are top-down and bottom-top (El-Zeiny, 2012). The main difference is the

point of view, the first one is considered as a classic research where a solution is


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needed to fix a specific problem; and the other considers a mechanism discovered

that has to be adapted as a solution being potentially useful for different

applications.

3.1. Bottom-up or solution based approach

This type requires a deep knowledge of the bioprocesses and biomechanisms

where potential applications are investigated creating new design ideas, this

approach requires a high knowledge from the different scientist, the solutions and

the potential applications, the team would usually require a biologist and an

engineer in the group design team (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014). One of the famous

examples is the creation of velcro that was inspired by observation in the

microscope of the hook surface of a species of cocklebur (Pandrenemos et al.,

2012).

The steps to follow in this methodology has been synthetized by Badarnah & Kadri

(2014), in this study the author intends to group these steps into domains: the

biological domain where the organism is studied, second, the transfer phase where

the principle is extracted and reformulated as a solution and third, the technological

domain where a problem is searched, defined, and resolved by the biological

principle (fig. 3.1).

3.1. Top-down or problem based approach

The second approach requires a particular problem that needs to be solved, so

depending on the problem, the designer has to define goals and parameters for the

design to be created; then the research for bio strategies runs until an appropriate

solution is found. There are eight basic step to achieve this process (Badarnah &

Kadri, 2014).


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Figure 3.1 Solution based approach, the steps in the biological, transfer and technological

domains are in yellow, blue and green respectively. (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014)

Figure 3.2 Problem based approach, the steps in the problem, biological, and solution domains

are in green, yellow and blue respectively (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014)

1. Problem definition

2. Problem abstraction

3. Exploration and investigation

4. Classification

5. Principle identification

6. Design concept

7. Emulation

8. Evaluation

1. Biological solution identification

2.Define the biological solution

3. Principle extraction

4. Reframe the solution

5. Problem search

6. Problem definition

7. Principle application


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The Institute biomimcry 3.8 (2011) also indicates a similar approach in a problem

based approach as seen in the figure 3.2, the main difference is the change to a

spiral process, so the evaluation it is not the end of the chain, after evaluated, the

design can be improved and innovated.

Figure 3.3 Biomimicry Design Spiral (Biomimicry 3.8, 2011)

3.2. BioGen methodology

Badarnah & Kadri (2014) contributes to the understanding and simplification of thisprocess comparing similar methodologies from different sources; the result is the

methodology named BioGen, it follows the concept of a problem-based approach

and it proposes an integration of all its elements, including the idea of innovation in

a cycle process as the Biomimicry 3.8 (2011) methodology.

This methodology also aims to create unique design through the integration of

many biological principles, some of them would be compatible and some will not,

but that complexity in nature and design is the challenge. In the final stage,

emulation is necessary to understand how the design will work in real conditions

(fig. 3.4).


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Figure 3.4 Biogen methodology (Badarnah & Kadri, 2014)

The basic steps to follow in the BioGen methodology are

Creating an exploration model

Defining the design challenge

Exploring possible scenarios and identifying exemplary pinnacles

Analyzing selected pinnacles

Deriving imaginary pinnacles

Outlining the design concept

Generating a preliminary design concept

Estimating performance


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This methodology focuses on the design conception and creation; the preliminary

design phase has uses some tool thatl help to understand the mechanism and

principles to be used:

The exploration model,

The pinnacle analysis,

The pinnacle analyzing matrix

The design path matrix

Antony et al. (2014) evaluates a design with three principles that comes from VDI

Guideline 6220: Biomimetics conception and strategy developed by experts and

the Association of German Engineers (VDI) to explain if a product or a design is

truly biomimetic, these principles are:

1. The existence of a biological role model

2. Understanding the principle and successfully transferring to the sphere of

technology

3. The existence of a technical application

Clearly, these principles follow what the BioGen methodology is intended for,

where the biological model is identified, then the principle is extracted and thedesign is completed afterwards. This kind of qualitative evaluations are also

necessary to understand how strong is the link between the biological model and

the final structures built in reality.

An advantage of the BioGen methodology is the integration of many strategies into

the design. The next chapters describe how a daylighting design is created

following this this methodology.


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4. DESIGN CONTEXT

This chapter focused on describing the details of the location, site and activity

context for the building to be considered into the design. A daylighting design is

necessary to reduce the energy demand by artificial light, Gago et al. (2014)

indicates that the energy savings using passive solar strategies to allow more

daylight inside the buildings are minimum a 10% just by the modification of the

window sizes, therefore it opens an opportunity to take advantage of daylighting

design. Although the first aim of using daylight is to reduce the consumption of

energy, a financial benefit can also be made getting lower costs for electricity and

from the environmental point of view, the savings on CO2 emissions and also the

opportunity to use sustainable materials (Butcher, 2011).

The design framework has many factors to look at, along with the integration

between them, that includes costs, maintenance, activity, amenity, efficiency and

architectural integration (fig. 4.1) but not all the criteria has to be necessarily

achieved in all cases and some can be even irrelevant, the designer has to decide

what is the best option (Department for Education and Skills, 2003)

Figure 4.1 Lighting design Framework (Department for Education and Skills, 2003)


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Additionally, there are more key points involved when creating a daylight design

according to Butcher (2011), in that sense all the architectural elements has to be

integrated like the building form, the exterior obstructions, the activity, the fabrics

and glazing, the shading systems and the control are directly related so everything

can influence on the lighting required. In this case, the main key goals has been

defined, considered as the main functions to achieve:

Provide natural light

Block UV radiation

Block direct sunlight to avoid glare

Avoid high contrast (more uniformity)

Additional features this design can achieved as the true integration with nature

where sustainable principles are involved, creating a roof that is energy efficient

and at the same time aesthetically pleasing for the occupants, being a good

example of how nature can be involved into peoples life and providing a source of

discussion and debate about sustainable practice in architecture with the hope of

bringing more professionals to be interested in the field.

4.1. Geographical context

The location of the building is set on the tropical zone in Ecuador, this zone of the

planet is characterized by the sunpath that forms an symmetric arc crossing from

east to west, that means that every day when the sun reach the maximum solar

altitude around midday the relative sense of position for people and buildings is at

the top. As seen in the figure 4.2, the sunpath cross the skyline from east to west

for every month of the year.


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Figure 4.2 Plane view of sun path in a building in Ecuador (0 Latitude) (Design Builder

software Ltd., 2013)

Therefore, for building design it is necessary to understand the changes of the

solar altitude angles during the year. The maximum solar altitude in this location

varies according to the season (fig. 4.4), the highest values are found when the

equinoxes happen around the 21th

September (Autumn equinox) and 21th

March

(spring equinox) due to the perpendicular position of the sun at midday (fig. 4.3 a);

and during the solstices on 21th June (Summer solstice northern hemisphere)

(fig. 4.3 b) and 21th December (Winter solsticenorthern hemisphere) (fig. 4.3 c)

the lowest values are expected due to the inclination of the earth axis towards the

sun.


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a)

b)

c)

Figure 4.3 Lateral view from East of sun path in a building in Ecuador (0 Latitude) at midday for

a) Summer solstice, b) Equinoxes, c) Winter solstice (Design Builder software ltd, 2013)


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Figure 4.4 Variation of the maximum solar altitude during a year (Data from Design Builder

software Ltd., 2013)

The maximum solar altitudes in a daily basis measured in the location are between

84 and 65 given the results from Design Builder software (table 4.1), one

important aspect of the position of the sun is that in the equinoxes there is no

substantial difference in the azimuth, but in the solstices, the azimuths are in

opposite directions, so in the summer solstice at midday the solar altitude will be

65 towards north and in winter solstice the sun will be 65 towards south, the

difference of this position is essential to make effective designs.

Table 4.1 Hourly maximum solar altitude for equinoxes and solstices (Design Builder software

Ltd., 2013)

Hour/ Date 21-mar 21-jun 21-sep 21-dic

7:00 6 7 9 8

8:00 21 20 24 21

9:00 36 34 39 35

10:00 51 47 54 47

11:00 66 58 69 59

12:00 81 65 84 66

13:00 84 65 80 65

14:00 69 58 66 57

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Solaraltitude

()


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Hour/ Date 21-mar 21-jun 21-sep 21-dic

15:00 54 47 51 46

16:00 39 34 36 33

17:00 24 21 21 20

18:00 9 7 6 6

4.2. Site context

The site context describes the elements around the building that can influence the

lighting inside the room. In this case, all the surroundings are assumed to be an

open area where buildings are low rise, basically with no shadows that can

obstruct any sunlight or daylight, also in the interior the diffuse light is mostly

caused by the reflection of the surfaces.

The common size of a teaching classroom for school or high school is 80 m2with a

length of 10 m and a width of 8 m, usually windows are located on one side or on

two sides, being most common the first one. On average, the number of students

in a teaching classroom is about 30 to 40, 40 can be considered the maximum

capacity so the whole area is enough for chairs tables, the space between them,

and the front area with the teachers desk. Different levels between rows of sits arenot considered, all the area is flat, that is usually found in university teaching

rooms, but for now it is focused on school or high school types (fig. 4.5).


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Figure 4.5 Plan view of a general classroom (Design Builder software ltd, 2013)

Common problems about lighting arise during daytime when the students on one

side or in the middle columns dont receive enough illuminance or in cloudy daysthe levels illuminance from the windows are not enough for the entire room, so it is

necessary to keep the lights on. Usually, most architects find a solution in a roof

light but this option is not entirely appropriate for buildings in the tropics as Gago et

al. (2014) explains, mostly because the sunlight will be directly entering inside the

room creating hard shadows and an unpleasant environment, so the design should

explore many options to manage and play with all the features as glare, shading,

reflective surfaces, multiple layer panels, light wells and others, in order to create

unique and good designs.

4.3. Activity context

Daylight has a large influence on the body and behavior of human beings and

animals and it is related to daily activity patterns and also emotional moods (Gago


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direct exposition to sunlight (Department for Education and Skills, 2003). An

important element of a classroom is the windows also because they provide visual

interest and in most cases ventilation, it is recommended to have a glazed area of

20% of the elevation of the wall. Moreover, the thermal and acoustic performance

integrated with all the building design should be considered. In case of daylight is

not enough, electrical light systems must be used (Department for Education and

Skills, 2003).

To sum up, the recommended values in classrooms considered are:

No less than 300 lux as maintained illuminance on the working plane.

No less than 500 lux as demanding tasks illuminance on the working plane

The unified glare rating must not be over 19 on the observer (usually 1.2 m

height) (Butcher, 2011).

The uniformity ratio (minimum/average daylight factor) should be in the

range 0.3 to 0.4 for side-lit rooms 0.7 where spaces are top-lit, eg, atria

(Department for Education and Skills, 2003).

An average daylight factor of 5% and a minimum of 2% (Butcher, 2011)


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5. ORGANISMS AND LIGHTING STRATEGIES

This chapter describes how organisms manage daylight; these strategies have

been found on databases that and shows the relation between the organism and

light.

Animals have the capacity to sense other range of wavelengths different than

humans due to their own evolutionary process that usually responds with the

environment. Besides, the interaction with light is not limited to the visual capacity;

other functions include being noticed by other organisms for protection or mating,

obtaining energy (photosynthesis) or stimulating heat circulation.

5.1. Edelweiss bracts

The filaments that cover the edelweiss bracts absorb UV and reflect most of the

visible range wavelengths protecting the cells against UV radiation. These

filaments are hollow inside and the diameter varies along the transverse section.

They produce a reflection effect around 60-70% of most visible range of visual

wavelengths, that is the reason behind the white color; and at the same time they

absorb UV wavelengths. The mechanism to absorb UV can be placed on the

filaments surface shows a pattern of parallel small fibers attached shown in the

figure 5.1, combined with a liquid absorbing agent. (Vigneron et al., 2005)

Figure 5.1 Edelweiss bracts and its reflectance on normal incident light (Vigneron et al., 2005)


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5.2. High altitude plants

High altitude plants in Swiss Alps are constantly exposed to UV wavelengths

around the whole year, a mechanism to protect the cells from such radiation is a

cuticular wax that absorbs wavelengths below 350nm. This research analyzed four

different species that can be found at 2000 meters above the sea level (Jacobs et

al., 2007).

Figure 5.2 Absorbance of solutions of cuticular waxes in Pines cembra(A), Rhodondendron

ferrugineum(B), Junipernus communis(C) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea(D) (Jacobs et al., 2007)

5.3. Dol ichop teryx longp ipes

This fish has an interesting ocular system; the main eyes are supported by a

structure called diverticulum that allows capturing light to recognize objects from

horizontal and below directions, in the diverticulum, there is a cell mirror that

reflects light aiming to the retine (Wagner et al.,2008).

Figure 5.3 Dolichopteryx longpipes (Wagner et al.,2008)


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5.6. Firefly

The nanostructures located on the surface of the firefly enhance the light

transmission (fig. 5.8). The structure of the firefly consists on a dorsal layer, a

photogenic layer where the light is produced and the cuticle. The nanostructures in

the cuticle have an antireflective effect, as a result more quantity of light is

transmitted through the structure (fig. 5.9) (Kim et al., 2012).

Figure 5.8 Firefly and detailed nanostrutucres (Kim et al., 2012)

Figure 5.9 Mechanism of nanostructure to enhance light transmission (Kim et al., 2012)

5.7. Butterfly colors

The diversity of colors in butterfly wings are produced by nanostructures that

scatter and refract certain type of wavelengths giving as a result different colors,

the laminar structures present cavities that are repeated periodically as seen in

figure 5.10 (Prum et al., 2005). A specific example is the cover scales on the


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Morphobutterfly wings that produce a selective pattern to refract blue color acting

as an optical diffuser; in some species two types of scales, cover and ground,

interact to produce the shiny blue characteristic on the morpho family (Yoshioka

and Kinoshita, 2004)

Figure 5.10 Morpho Butterfly (Asknature.org, 2014)

Figure 5.11 Nanopatterns in butterfly wings scales (Prum et al., 2005)


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5.8. Olives leaves

The olivae trees are categorized on two different types, the sun type grows on the

exterior part of the tree meanwhile shadow leaves grow on the inner part, most of

the sun leaves present a similar shape and structure in different species, the open

triangle shape of the sun leaves has the function of capturing most of light and

prevent moisture loss (de Casas, 2011).

Figure 5.12 Olives tree (de Casas, 2011)

5.9. Flower color effects

In petals only part of incoming light is reflected by papillas on the surface of theflowers giving different effects like velvety or silky, its configuration show cell

patterns as shown the figure (Endress, 1994).

Figure 5.13 Surface pattern of Lantana camaraflower (Endress, 1994)


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6. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

This chapter contains the design development, based on the Bio-Gen methodology

given by Badarnah & Kadri (2014), this methodology intends to order the

information obtained in a way that the designer can extract the natural principles

and turn them into applications.

6.1. Creating an exploration model

The exploration model orders all the information gathered about the organisms, the

information is processed in order to understand the links between the design aims

and the options available of the mechanisms that exists in organisms.

Figure 6.1 Exploration model for daylighting design

Function Process Factor Category Pinnacle

Avoid UVradiation

Absorption

Filaments MaterialEdelweiss

bracts

Wax MaterialHigh altitude

plants

Capturinglight

Reflection

Celularmirror cells

FormDolichopteryx longpipes

Siliceousspinacle Form Sponge

Reflectionand refraction

Coverscales

Material Butterflies

Cellspatterns

Material Flowers

Surfacepatterns

Material Jewel beetle

Absorption Sun leaves Form Olivae trees

Avoidinglight

BlockingRibs

structureForm Cactus

Transmittinglight

Antireflection Cuticule Material Firefly


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6.2. Defining the design challenge

The design challenge is to provide natural light during all day as much as possible

ensuring quantity (illuminance) and quality (glare) of light and protecting the people

from UV radiation in case of direct exposition of sunlight to the people in the

context explained on chapter 4 where the geographical position, the site and the

activity are involved.

The design must represent the interaction of daylight with the building; there are

elements that can be quantified as the illuminance, the daylight factors and the

uniformity on the working plane, so the final design is expected to be evaluated

and to be seen as an integrated and multidimensional conjunction of its elements.

6.3. Exploring possible scenarios and identifying exemplary

pinnacles

First, one of the major concerns is to get enough levels of illuminance avoiding

direct sunlight into the building, because it would cause the entrance of heat gains

and high levels of illuminance can lead to visual discomfort due to glare. So to

provide daylight, it is necessary to look for the mechanisms to maximize the

capture of light, then how to avoid direct sunlight and minimise contrast, also how

to distribute the sunlight captured to maximize the uniformity of daylight and plus

how to avoid specific wavelengths like UV radiation.

6.4. Analyzing selected pinnacles

In the table 6.1, all the strategies and the principles of the organisms explored in

chapter 5 are described in a simpler form; so this tool is useful to find the main

principle to be applied afterwards and to understand what the main process toachieve the required function. Different organisms can have the same function but

with different processes, for example, the edelweiss bract and the high altitude

plants can absorb UV radiation but its mechanisms and principles are not the

same.


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Table 6.1 Summary of analysis pinnacles

Pin nac le sstrategy

Mechanism Main princip le Main feature

Edelweiss bracts

Absorbs UVradiation to cells

All the plant is

covered by filamentsthat filter radiation

The filaments andits surface

structure filters UVradiation

UV absorption

High altitudeplantsBlocks UVradiation to cells

The cells areprotected by a layerof absorptant material

The organic waxabsorbs UVradiation

UV absorption

DolichopteryxLongpipesCapture andreflects light

The cell mirror cancapture as much aslight possible on thedownwards direction

The structure andcurvature of thecell mirror

Light reflection

ButterfliesDiffuse andrefracts light

The nanostructure ofthe scales interactwith light, doing afiltering and creatingdiverse colors andtextures

The layers andform of thenanostructures onthe scales

Light refractionand diffusion

FlowersCells on thesurface

The microstructureson the petals gives adifferent texture

The cell shapesand patterns

Emittingdifferenttextures of light

Olivae treesCapture light

The triangular shapeand curved surface ofthe leaves allowcollecting moresunlight

The leaf shapeCollecting moresun energy fromdifferent angles

CactusBlocking sunlight

The ribs blocksunlight partiallypromoting air fluxesThere is less area atthe top wherereceives less sunlight during midday

The cactus shapeis designed toreceive less directsunlight during theday

Blockingsunlight

SpongeThe inner tubularstructurestransports lightinto inner cells

The whole structuremade by the spiculesdistributes light toinner cells

Spicule structureplus reflectivesurface

Light distribution

FireflyLight emission

The nanostructureson the bodyenhances thetransmission of light

Pattern on thesurface

LightTransmission

Jewel beetleDiffuse andrefracts light

Irisdiscence producedby the surface

Multilayer surfaceLight refractionand diffusion


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6.5. Deriving imaginary pinnacles

As indicated by Badarnah & Kadri (2014), the pinnacle analyzing matrix has the

objective to construct the imaginary pinnacle, it has different processes aiming at

one function, in this case the relevant categories have been reduced to three due

to they are more relevant: act/pas, adaptation and scale are important aspects to

look at in the design. The strategies can be active or passive, usually it is preferred

to be passive due to an active system would require an extra source of energy or

stimulus to function; the adaptation can be physiological, morphological or

behavioral; and the most important is the scale, the different categories are nano,

micro, meso and macro as seen in nature. It is important to emphasize that every

process has to be replicated in the same scale, the design can become more

complex and difficult to be created in reality, if two or more processes with different

scales are combined, nevertheless, two processes with different scales and

functions can complement each other.

Table 6.2 Pinnacle analysisng matrix

Processes Act/ Pa Adaptation Scale

Absorption

Reflection

Blocking

Antireflectio

n

Active

Passive

Physiologic

al

Morphological

Behavioura

l

Nano

Micro

Meso

Macro

AvoidUV

Edelweissbracts

X X X X X X

High altitudeplants

X X X X

Imaginarypinnacle

X X X X X

Capture

DolichopteryxLongpipes

X X X X

Butterflies X X X X X

Flowers X X X X X X

Olivae trees X X X X

Jewel beetle X X X X X

Sponge X X X X

Imaginarypinnacle

X X X X X X X


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Processes Act/ Pa Adaptation Scale

Abs

orption

Ref

lection

Blocking

Ant

ireflection

Active

Pas

sive

Phy

siological

Morphological

Beh

avioural

Nan

o

Mic

ro

Meso

Macro

AvoidCactus X X X X

Imaginarypinnacle

X X X X

TransmitFirefly X X X X X

Imaginarypinnacle

X X X X X

So as a result, there are four imaginary pinnacles, each one for every main

challenge or aim:

To avoid UV the main process is absorption, this process can be considered

passive and physiological due to the filaments and the wax work by

themselves and both are part of the organisms

To capture light, reflection is the most common, it should be passive and

morphological, but in the case of butterflies, flowers and the jewel beetle,

their function can be also physiological due to the structure inside the wings,

petals and skin respectively, causes the refraction and scattering of light; but

it also can be considered morphological because of the shapes and forms

that conform the pattern on the surfaces; this concept is not explained by

the author but it is implied when the physiological adaptations are

specifically related to micro and nano sizes, the solution for the imaginary

pinnacle is to consider both types of adaptations at the same time.

To avoid sunlight, the unique pinnacle contains the cactus where it can be

considered a passive strategy, clearly on the morphological side and a

macro scale.

To transmit light, the firefly is the only example, it is a passive strategy and

the same case can be considered physiological or morphological due to the

nano pattern surface in the cuticle.


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6.6. Outlining the design concept

The design path matrix has been built in accordance with the pinnacle analyzing

matrix, in this matrix has been reduced into challenges, processes, active or

passive feature, adaptation and scale, other features have been taken out due to

they were too specific in each case and at some point those features are implied in

every pinnacle. Also the elements that have no connections as active, behavioral

adaptation and meso scale are not shown to facilitate the understanding of the flow

process.

Challenges

Proc

esses

Act

/Pas

Adap

tation

Sc

ale

Figure 6.2 Design path matrix for lighting

The design path matrix has been developed with the intention of visualizing the

dominant features in all challenges to take them into the final design, in this case

every challenge has their own main process absorption for avoiding UV, reflection

for capturing light, blocking for avoiding light and antireflection for transmitting light,


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all of the features are passive, in the adaptation feature there is no dominant

element creating two possibilities between the physiological and morphological and

finally the dominant feature is the nano scale represented in multiple examples.

The path design matrix can actually define what can be the most dominantcharacteristic of the design but it does show multiple ways for creating and

designing, the significance of the dominant feature is just based on how many

times are shown in an organism following the instructions on the pinnacle analysis

matrix (table 6.2), conclusively it shows multiple paths where the designer can take

one as more convenient.

6.7. Generating design concepts

From the design path matrix two types of design concepts can be developed: a

morphodesign that is related with shapes and structures and physiodesign that is

related with function and materials. As this research is focused on architectural

design, it is more feasible to create morphodesigns but physiodesigns should not

be taken out of the picture due to it is important to expand the knowledge of other

aspects of science into architecture as nanotechnology.

6.7.1. Morpho design concept 1

Examining some possibilities, the first thought is to create a similar structure from

the cell mirror in the Dolichopteryx Longpipes fish, this structure would be able to

receive the sunlight through all day, but then the sunlight would be reflected in a

panel that provide diffuse light for the teaching room.

The principle in this design is that the curvature on the cell mirror is able to reflect

effectively a range of light rays that come from different angles, the figure 6.3

shows how the light is directed to one point of the retina depending on the angle of

incidence. The lasts figure can be considered an ideal condition due the light is

reflected in all directions.


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Figure 6.3 Light reflected from different angles on the cell mirror (Wagner et al., 2008)

According to the geographical context, it is not possible to face east or west

orientation because the solar altitude or the angle of incidence is between the

horizontal and the top of the sky; so the possibilities in this case are the structure

facing north or south or a mixture of the two facing part north and the other south.

Another idea is that the rooftop can be designed as a similar structure of a louvre

trying to follow the sunpath daily but that can be a disadvantage because a control

system should be placed and even if it is manual or automatic, it would require the

users to move it within a period of time or extra energy using an automatic system,

but it has been established with the design path matrix that the design is set as a

passive strategy.

The figure 6.4 show how the structures could be replicated to reflect the sun light

and create a daylight bulb, the retina just acts a light receptor but on the design the

structure, that represents it, should be the diffuser that delivers light to the

classroom, reflecting the sunlight twice in the whole process.


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Figure 6.4 Replicated shapes (red lines) from the cell mirror and the retina of the Dolichopteryx

Longpipes

This idea seems to be ideal but at the same time it looks a bit complicated for

building afterwards. Although biologically and geographically the range of angle is

similar, the sun on the orientation north and south covers 50, 25 as the maximum

tilt on each orientation being 65 the lowest value for the maximum solar altitude on

the solstices (table 4.1), and the mirror can receive a range of 48 (fig 5.4); so the

same mechanism could be used as shown in the figure 6.5; the original idea is not

conceived in that way, the position of the mirror is vertical downwards so the fish

can collect light from the bottom of the sea.

Figure 6.5 Concept of replicating the cell mirror on a rooftop


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The figure 6.6 shows how the light reaches the mirror adjusted in the conditions,

when the sunlight inclines 25 to one direction (north or south), but there are some

problems in this configuration, if the mirror faces north, in the winter solstice the

sunlight passes directly to the space making it undesirable (fig. 6.6 b) and on the

opposite condition the sunlight just hits half of the mirror making it less effective

(fig. 6.6 a); even though when the sunlight is perpendicular the diffusing effect can

performance better.

a)

b)

Figure 6.6 Cell mirror in a vertical position upwards with sunlight inclined 23.5 to the

perpendicular a) Summer solstice b) Winter solstice

As a consequence, this problem can be solved setting a platform that could block

the direct light, increasing the opening at the top and increasing the inverse slope

on the secondary structure to create more space to distribute the diffuse light, in

this case the design the platform will work similarly as a light shelf (fig. 6.7). So the


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desired outcome is to provide as much as diffused light, the size would be solved

on the modeling phase of the design

a)

b)

c)

Figure 6.7 Final design replicating the cell mirror structure in different conditions a) Summer

solstice b) Equinoxes c) Winter solstice. Sun rays are colored as yellow and reflected light as

blue


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6.7.2. Morpho Design concept 2

Another possibility comes using the cell mirror in a horizontal position where the

mirror would receive as much sunlight for the aperture at the top and then the light

can be reflected to the secondary panels, each one on one side. This design doesnot follow the same position as the cell mirror but the reflection angles can help to

take advantage of more amount of light reflected.

a)

b)


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c)

Figure 6.8 Design with mirror in horizontal position, in different conditions a) Summer solstice b)

Equinoxes c) Winter solstice

One of the main concerns about the cell mirror is that acts as a convergent mirror,

that means that collects light from many directions and reflect it to one point, as it

can be seen on the figure 6.3 where the rays converge into one point of the retina,

so maybe this could not be efficient enough (fig. 6.8 a and c), for this reason, two

more designs has been created in order to prove how effective the convergent

mirror could be. The next figure show how the convergent mirror will be replace by

a flat platform (fig. 8.9) and a divergent platform (fig. 8.10) hoping to disperse all

the light instead of converge.

Figure 6.9 Morpho design concept 2 with flat platform


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Figure 6.10 Morpho design concept 2 with divergent platform

6.7.3. Morpho Design concept 3

Another possibility as a completely different design comes from the sponge

structure and its principle that is to obtain light form different directions so more

light can be harvested through the day.

As seen on previous chapters the sponge obtains light through the structure of the

spicules that end in the inner cells, so for this design, the roof has two apertures

oriented north and south, the slope will be 25 as maximum slope required. The

light would go through the space being reflected on the sides, at the bottom of the

structure there is the union of the two structures to allow the diffused light reaching

the space room (fig. 6.11).

The design seems to work but the light only reach the maximum distance though

the spaces on the solstices, when the angle of inclination is less than 25, less

sunlight gets into the apertures therefore less diffuse light will be available to reach

the room, to reduce this lack of light the structure at the top can be cut to create a

light vault, so more diffuse light can be reflected downwards as seen on the figure

6.12.


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Figure 6.11 Morpho design replicating the spiracles on a sponge Tethya aurantium

Figure 6.12 Morpho design with light vault


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One problem was detected with this design, there are certain times when sunlight

can reach directly to the room without being reflected, this situation happens when

the incidence angle is between 10 and 15 as seen on the figure 6.13.

Figure 6.13 Sunlight reaches the room in the morpho design

To solve this problem another modification of the design has been considered, the

two apertures will be maintained but all the sunlight that goes through them will be

blocked by a surface, this surface will diffuse the light maintaining the structure of

the light vault, to finally reach the room (fig. 6.14). One important aspect is the size

of the apertures where enough amount of sunlight can get in and enough space for

diffuse light for the room.

Figure 6.14 Final morpho design 3


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a)

b)

c)

Figure 6.15 Final morpho design 3 in different conditions a) Summer solstice b) Equinoxes c)

Winter solstice


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The advantages of this design are that is more simple and still follows the

biological principle where the room makes the most of light received from two

different angles with reflecting surfaces.

Finally, in the morpho designs shapes and forms have been explored but a greatcontribution would be the development of surfaces that it is shown on the physio

designs, the next step for the morpho designs is evaluation that is shown in the

next chapter of this research. Although, the software is a valid and powerful tool, it

is not capable of simulating how the light reacts on surfaces with different

nanopatterns making not possible to simulate physiodesigns.

6.7.4. Physio design concept

As stated in the design path matrix, the physio design can be conceptualized as a

material that is be able to perform a function in a nano scale. To adjust this function

to a design is important to remind the main aims and the strategies found in nature.

Depending on their main function, the nanostructures found in nature can be

integrated to the design aims, so in this case the filaments on the edelweiss bracts

and the cuticule on the firefly can be used to enhance the functionality of the

morpho design 3. The figure 6.16 shows the place were these two types of

nanostructures can be integrated, the artificial antireflective coating inspired of the

firefly (Fig. 6.16a) can be placed on the two apertures to enhance the entrance of

light; the nanostructures of the filaments can be placed on the main reflective

panels, so the surface would absorb the UV wavelengths and reflect the visual

wavelengths (Fig. 6.16 b).


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Figure 6.16 Physiodesign integrating nanostructures a) the transmission nanomaterial inspired

from the firefly cuticle on the openings (Kim et al., 2012) (b) the UV filter nanomaterial on the

surface of reflective panels (Vigneron et al., 2005).

The nano materials are able to scatter the light selecting a specific wavelength by

reflection as seen on the examples of butterflies and the jewel beetle. The butterfly

P. Blumei always presents a green coloration independently of the angle of

incidence because the scale structure always reflects blue and yellow wavelengths

(fig. 6.17) instead the green beetle shows different colors as green, blue and

orange on different parts of the body (fig. 6.18 and 6.19).


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Figure 6.17 a) Butterfly P. Blumei b) Reflectance of the surface (Diao and Liu, 2011)

Figure 6.18 Coloration mechanism of P. Blumeiunder a)normal and b) 45 incident light (Diao

and Liu, 2011)

a)


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Welsh School of Architecture - Cardiff Univers

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BIOMIMICRY INSPIRED DESIGNS FOR DAYLIGHTING IN ECUADOR